Summary: GRACE IS CENTRAL IN MENTORING TO PRODUCE LIVES OF INTEGRITY.

Behavior modification is the use of behavior change techniques to change behavior and reactions to stimuli through positive and negative reinforcement or the reduction of bad behavior through positive and negative punishment.

- Teachers have used them for years. Write Tasks; stand in the corner, dunce caps, detention.

- In counseling I have encouraged people who are obsessing over an issue or an incident, to wear a rubber band on their wrist and when they catch themselves obsessing to firmly but not abusively snap their wrist, training their brain that the obsessive thoughts are bad.

We’ve been discovering Paul’s plan for producing transformed lives in Crete. To some mentoring, discipleship sounds just like another behavior modification technique. The apostle Paul saw it more than just a self help buddy system. He saw and as an avenue of the grace with is ours in Jesus Christ.

T.S. At NAC one of our values is focusing on a right relationship with Jesus Christ, so this morning let’s turn to Titus and let’s discover mentoring’s connection to the what Jesus has already done for us.

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

GRACE -- Favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that same person deserves.

It’s All God producing change

GRACE IS CENTRAL IN MENTORING TO PRODUCE LIVES OF INTEGRITY.

Why will mentoring work?

GRACE IS NOW AVAILABLE.

One event forever changed our fate.

On April 12 1955, Dr. Jonas E. Salk, "Safe, effective, and potent", were the words used to announce to the world that an effective vaccine had been found against a disease that once paralyzed 13,000--20,000 people each year in the United States alone. Vaccine would be inexpensive enough that it would be available to everyone. Today in the United States the only cases of paralytic poliomyelitis, occur in the patients that refuse the vaccine.

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Appl: Why will mentoring work, because the grace of God is available to all who do not refuse it. Are you tired of trying to just changes yourself? Isn’t time that you learned the secrets of the transforming power of grace? What does it look like? Mentors help us discover it and model it for us.